Duane Vermeulen is back for the Springboks as they gear up for their tour of the UK next month.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus on Sunday named a squad that will assemble in Stellenbosch this week as the Boks prepare for matches against England, France, Scotland and Wales.
And while including Cape ysters such as captain Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe and Damian de Allende, the squad does not include players that will be involved in Saturday’s Currie Cup final between Western Province and the Sharks at Newlands and overseas-based stars.
Lock Lood de Jager also makes a welcome return to the squad, with Erasmus saying: “It is good to welcome back a player of the calibre of Lood - he will add experience to a position where we already have some very good competition for places.”
Of Vermeulen, he adds: “Duane, of course, will also bring similar valuable experience to the group.”
One big omission, though, is that of Beast Mtawarira, who was not considered because of injury.
Of the tour, Erasmus says: “It’s a tough tour and our preparation time is limited, but we have set ourselves some goals.
“And as has been the case the entire season, we would like to see the squad continue to grow as a group and add to our depth with the Rugby World Cup less than a year away.”
Bok training squad
Forwards:
Schalk Brits, Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Steven Kitshoff, Siya Kolisi, Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Trevor Nyakane, RG Snyman, Duane Vermeulen, Warren Whiteley
Backs:
Damian de Allende, Aphiwe Dyantyi, André Esterhuizen, Elton Jantjies, Jesse Kriel, Embrose Papier, Handré Pollard, Ivan van Zyl